Sinking Spells
John the Baptist was the first to recognize Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17), identified Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), and declared that Jesus baptizes in the Holy Spirit and is the Son of God (John 1:33-34).
But he had a sinking spell.
After Herod put John the Baptist in prison, he started wondering (worrying?).
Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?” (Luke 7:19)
John’s disciples arrived while Jesus was healing.
At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. (Luke 7:21)
Jesus answered John’s disciples with scripture (Luke 7: 22), demonstrating Jesus is the Anointed One, fulfilling prophesy.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners. (Isaiah 61:1)
Jesus sent word to John about what was actually happening (reality), reminded him of scripture, showed the fulfillment of prophesy, and reoriented John to the certainty of God’s promises.
When we (believers) have sinking spells
Remember who God is
God is our loving sovereign (See When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready?)
God doesn’t lie (Hebrews 6:18)
God fulfills all His promises (Numbers 23:19)
Check to make sure you are putting your hope in God, and God alone
My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5–6)
Remember His promises
His promises are sure things. We “hope” for them, but it’s really waiting in anticipation of certain fulfillment. (See Our Hope)
Remember His enormous blessings to you
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. (Lamentations 3:21–25)
Study scripture, memorize, meditate
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
In His word do I hope. (Psalm 130:5)
In everything give thanks
In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Stand firm and press on
PRAY!
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
